Incentive Processing and Learning in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

NCT05056597 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 800775
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 252
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate areas of the brain responsible for 'liking', 'wanting', and learning in adults with eating disorders using brain imaging techniques, computer tasks, a test meal, and self-report questionnaires and interviews. The investigators will study changes in brain activity using a procedure called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This study will include 252 women with an eating disorder (63 AN-restricting type (AN-R), 63 AN-binge eating/purging type (AN-BP), 63 bulimia nervosa (BN)) and 63 healthy controls (HC) aged 18-39. Aim 1: To examine neural differences in 'liking' and 'wanting' in ED relative to HC. Aim 2: To examine differences in instrumental learning for reward and punishment in ED relative to HC. Aim 3: To examine how 'liking' and 'wanting' drive instrumental learning in ED and predict clinical symptoms at baseline and 1 year later. Exploratory Aim: To explore the associations of dopamine function, as measured by neuromelanin MRI (NM-MRI), with ED diagnosis and brain response to 'liking', 'wanting', and learning.

Conditions

Anorexia Nervosa; Bulimia Nervosa

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• BOLD response

  Brain activity associated with 'liking', 'wanting', and learning

  1 Year

• Reward and Punishment Learning

  Task reinforcement learning rate in reward and punishment trials

  1 Year

• Connectome-based predictive modeling (CPM)

  Functional connectivity maps from task-based fMRI data and clinical data

  1 Year

Study Arms (4)

AN-R

Participants that meet Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) criteria for Anorexia Nervosa restricting subtype.

AN-BP

Participants that meet DSM-V criteria for Anorexia Nervosa binging/purging subtype

BN

Participants that meet DSM-V criteria for Bulimia Nervosa.

Healthy Controls

Participants that do not meet DSM-V criteria for any disorder.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 39 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study will recruit 189 adult women currently ill with ED including anorexia nervosa, restricting type (AN-R, n=63), AN binge eating/purging type (AN-BP, n=63), and bulimia nervosa (BN, n=63) and 63 healthy control (HC) women between the ages of 18 and 39.

You may qualify if:

• Eating Disorder Group:
• Between the ages of 18 and 39 years old
• Meet DSM-V criteria for AN-R, AN-BP, or BN
• Healthy Control Group:
• Between the ages of 18 and 39 years old
• Have maintained 85% to 120% ideal body weight since menarche

You may not qualify if:

• All Groups:
• Psychotic illness/other mental illness requiring hospitalization
• Current dependence on drugs or alcohol defined by DSM IV criteria. Additionally, positive test results for drug use on the day of the scan, apart of marijuana, will result in cancelling or rescheduling the scan because acute use will impact MRI measures.
• Physical conditions (e.g. diabetes mellitus, pregnancy) known to influence eating or weight
• Neurological disorder, neurodevelopmental disorder, or history of head injury with \>30 min loss of consciousness
• Any contraindication to undergoing an MRI
• Primary obsessive compulsive disorder or primary major depressive disorder
• If taking other psychotropic medication, any change in dosage in the 2 weeks before scanning
• Meet criteria for the diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder currently
• Any history of binge eating or purging behaviors, including self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic misuse
• Use of any psychoactive or other medication known to affect mood or concentration in the last 3 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of California, San Diego: lead

Study Sites (1)

UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program

La Jolla, California, 92121, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anorexia Nervosa; Bulimia Nervosa

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Feeding and Eating Disorders; Mental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Christina Wierenga

CONTACT

858-534-8047; cwierenga@health.ucsd.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 9, 2021
• First Posted: September 24, 2021
• Study Start: May 26, 2022
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Last Updated: April 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

US (1)